'Inevitable' decline in fossil fuels

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♻️ This week’s sustainability news

Decline in fossil fuel use ‘inevitable’

What’s happening: The world might finally be moving towards cleaner energy, with 2023 being a key year for this change, says a report by the Ember energy think tank. Fossil fuel use is starting to drop because of the record number of solar and wind projects built in 2023. This could mean we've reached the highest point of emissions. In 2023, renewable energy like solar and wind produced 30% of the world's electricity, the highest ever. This puts us at a point where fossil fuel use might not just slow down but actually start to decrease.

Why it’s happening: Last year, solar power was the top source of new renewable energy, growing faster than any other type for the 19th year in a row. It beat wind power again to become the biggest new source of electricity. In 2023, wind and solar energy made up 82% of the increase in the world's energy needs. The use of fossil fuels for energy has also slowed down markedly, dropping from a 3.5% increase per year from 2003 to 2013 to just 1.3% per year from 2014 to 2023. Without renewable energy, fossil fuel use would have been about 22% higher during this time. Ember predicts that fossil fuel use will go down overall in 2024, with even bigger drops in the following years.

Why it’s important: The report says that about half of the world's economies have already passed their highest point of emissions by at least five years. OECD countries are leading this trend, with their power sector emissions peaking in 2007 and dropping by 28% since then. Because of this, the IEA's goal of reaching net zero emissions by 2030 is now more achievable. Dave Jones from Ember stated that the increase in solar power in 2023 makes it possible to reach the renewable energy targets set for 2030. Although there are still challenges with connecting new renewable projects to the grid and getting permits, Ember predicts that fossil fuel power will make up less than 60% of global energy production in 2024, the lowest since 2000.

📖 Read the full report from Ember: Record renewables propel the world towards a new era of falling fossil fuel generation

Mexico City and Bogotá are running out of water

What’s happening: In Mexico City, many people are finding that their water taps are dry for hours each day. When water does come out, it is often dark brown and smelly. A former political leader is urging people to focus on important actions to survive because the city's main water sources are running out. 2,000 miles south of Mexico City in Bogotá, Colombia, water levels in reservoirs are dropping quickly. The city has started turning off water in different areas at different times. The mayor has asked families to shower together and to leave the city on weekends to use less water.

Why it’s happening: The new measures are being taken because a ‘heat dome’ over Mexico is breaking temperature records in Central America. Both Central and South America are also experiencing a drought caused by El Niño, which brings very dry weather to the Southern Hemisphere. These droughts have become worse due to warmer winters and long-term drying from climate change. Currently, the drought has dried up rivers in Mexico and Colombia and reduced water levels in reservoirs that supply their cities.

Why it’s important: Officials in these cities have warned that their water systems might completely fail in June unless people use less water. When warning about the risk of running out of water, both cities reference what happened in Cape Town, South Africa. In 2018, the city was very close to having no water left in its reservoirs. To avoid this, Cape Town started a big public awareness campaign and introduced high fees for using water. These actions helped the city avoid the crisis. But experts say Mexico City and Bogotá will find it hard to copy Cape Town’s playbook. Instead of just trying to change how people use water, these cities need to spend a lot of money to fix old pipes and secure their water sources. How well they do this will help guide other growing cities on how to deal with changing climate conditions.

📖 Read the full article: Mexico City and Bogotá stare down a ‘Day Zero’ with no water

🌐 Travel to Celestún

See the famous flamingos in Mexico

5 ways to witness these majestic birds: Discover the best viewing options to see the Celestún flamingos in their natural environment.

😇 People doing great things

Stitch it, don’t ditch it…

With the help of street stitchers in Edinburgh: Mary Morton helps people in Edinburgh by fixing their clothes for free in parks and streets. She also teaches them how to make their old clothes look new again. The 67-year-old grandmother hasn't bought any new clothes in five years. She changed her lifestyle because she worried about how textiles affect the environment. She also formed a group of volunteers who help fix clothes around the city two years ago after taking some online classes about the environment. The European Parliament says that the fashion industry causes about 10% of the world's carbon emissions. This is more than the emissions from all international flights and ships put together.

⭐️ Weekly inspiration

Biden ends new coal leases in America’s main coal region

Victory hailed by environmentalists: Will keep six billion tons of coal in the ground in the region of Powder River Basin of Wyoming and Montana.

Historic legal victory for small island nations

Ruling from a UN court on maritime law: Greenhouse gas emissions can be considered a marine pollutant and countries have a legal obligation to implement measures to mitigate their effect on oceans.

The key to better climate outcomes

More autonomy and involvement: For Indigenous groups and local communities over their land, per a new study published this month.

Solar power reaches record highs in Germany

Over 60% of electricity needs daily for hours: Bright sunshine and new solar generation capacity helping Germany to transition away from fossil fuels.

Trial shows potential to reduce shipping emissions

Eradicating the ‘sail fast, then wait’ tradition: The Blue Visby solution trialled careful co-ordination of ships to manage timely arrivals to ports.

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